US 8,757,041 B1Granted

Multi-layered angular armor system

OwnerSteven D. Gilleninventor

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Abstract

A tubular armor causes incoming projectiles to strike at a forty-five degree angle that induces vector alteration of the projectile upon impact. Its movement magnitude is reduced in force vector, momentum, and thus its kinetic energy. At least two facing layers of parallel tubes have a rectangular cross-section and are of a high ballistic material. The tubes are contiguously, fixedly disposed with respect to each other at outer opposed diagonal tube corners to form crests and valleys on opposed outer sides of each layer. The spaced layers have valleys of a front layer disposed over the crests of a back layer. Layer spacing is at an amount sufficient whereby when a projectile strikes the front layer facing a shooter, it compresses toward the back layer and transfers its kinetic energy laterally to follow a zig-zag path along the front layer.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An armor assembly having an angular, tubular structure for causing an incoming projectile to strike the tubular structure at a forty-five degree angle that induces vector alteration of the projectile upon impact and in its movement into the assembly to reduce its magnitude in force vector, momentum, and thus its kinetic energy, said assembly comprising:

a) at least two facing layers of parallel tubes, which have a rectangular cross-section and are composed of material having a high ballistic performance;
b) said tubes being contiguously disposed at opposed outer diagonal tube corners with respect to each other to form crests and valleys on opposed outer sides of each layer of said tubular structure;
c) said tubes of each layer are permanently fixed together at the valleys where the tubes are contiguously disposed with respect to each other;
d) means for connecting said layers to join them together at outer edges of the assembly with facing outer sides of each layer being maintained laterally spaced with respect to each other;
and
e) the valleys of a front layer being disposed over the crests of a back layer with the layers spaced an effective distance from each other by an amount sufficient whereby when a projectile strikes the front layer facing a shooter, the front layer oscillates and compresses toward the back layer so that its kinetic energy transfers laterally when forced to make a ninety degree turn, and to follow a zig-zag path along the front layer parallel to the back layer before passing through the means for connecting the layers to enter the back layer.

3 more elements

An armor plate insert for a body armor jacket, said plate having an angular, tubular structure for causing an incoming projectile to strike the tubular structure at a forty-five degree angle that induces vector alteration of the projectile upon impact and in its movement into the assembly to reduce its magnitude in force vector, momentum, and thus its kinetic energy, said armor plate comprising:

a) a shaped outer profile of said plate designed to protect a broad critical area of a wearer's front body portion, and at least two facing layers of parallel, rectangular tubes that are composed of material having a high ballistic performance;
b) said tubes being contiguously disposed at opposed outer diagonal tube corners with respect to each other to form crests and valleys on opposed outer sides of each layer of said plate insert;
c) said tubes of each layer are permanently fixed together at the valleys where the tubes are contiguously disposed with respect to each other;
d) means for connecting said layers to join them together at outer edges of the insert with facing outer sides of each layer being maintained laterally spaced with respect to each other;
and
e) the valleys of a front layer being disposed over the crests of a back layer with the layers spaced an effective distance from each other by an amount sufficient whereby when a projectile strikes the front layer facing a shooter, the front layer oscillates and compresses toward the back layer so that the projectile's kinetic energy is transferred laterally, forced to make a ninety degree turn, and thereby follow a zig-zag path along the front layer parallel to the back layer before passing through said means for connecting said layers together to enter the back layer.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.